Background: Late aneurysm formation is a well-recognized complication of surgery for aortic coarctation. Open surgery to repair these aneurysms is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Endoluminal repair is an attractive alternative to open surgery.
Methods: Data were collected prospectively on consecutive patients who presented with aneurysms associated with coarctation
Results: Between June 1999 and October 2001, 5 patients underwent elective endoluminal repair for coarctation aneurysms. All procedures were technically successful and no patients died. Four patients previously had open surgery to repair aortic coarctation, and 1 presented with an aneurysm associated with a previously unrecognized coarctation. The median follow-up was 7 months (range, 3 to 29 months), and to date, all aneurysms remain excluded.
Conclusions: Endoluminal repair is a promising alternative to redo open surgery for thoracic aneurysms associated with previous surgery for aortic coarctation. Long-term follow-up is required to assess the durability of the stent grafts.